Saying that it’s stressful to find out that you’re under criminal investigation is an understatement. You might feel the crushing weight of law enforcement’s suspicions on a daily basis, with thoughts of what could await you constantly pervading your thought. This is understandable. After all, these are serious matters that can lead to serious consequences.
With that in mind, you need to find the best way to protect yourself from the onset of an investigation. While some people in your situation think they’re best off talking to the police to try to dispel any suspicions, you should avoid doing so.
Top reasons why you shouldn’t talk to the police
Talking to the police as part of an investigation can leave you in a bad predicament. Here are just some of the reasons why you should avoid engaging with the police in your case:
- You don’t have an obligation to make a statement: Sure, the police will give you an opportunity to tell your side of the story, and you might feel compelled to do so. But you don’t have to say anything to the police. Remember, you have the right to remain silent, and your silence isn’t going to prove your guilt in court. So, don’t feel pressured into talking to the police.
- The police can lie to you: Even though you might just want to lay out the facts as you see them, the police might lie to you to try to get you to say more than you intended. They might indicate that they have a witness who puts you at the scene of the crime or that there’s physical evidence linking you to the offense in question. You can avoid this pressure tactic, though, by avoiding talking to the police altogether.
- The police have nothing to offer you: You might think that by talking to the police you can secure some protection, such as lesser charges or lighter penalties. But the fact is that the police don’t have the power you think they do. The prosecutor is going to be the one to make the call on any bargaining, and they’re not going to be in the room with you when you’re interrogated.
- The police will twist your words out of context: Even if you provide what you think is a soundproof statement to the police, they might be able to find ways to twist your words to use them against you. Again, this is a strategy to try to get you to talk more, and it’s fairly effective. Don’t fall for this tactic.
- The police might disregard your rights: When you’re subjected to custodial interrogation, you have a number of rights, including your Miranda rights. This includes not only the right to remain silent, but also the right to an attorney. Sometimes, though, the police fail to advise you of your rights, which can put you at a disadvantage during this questioning.
You never have to talk to the police. So, if they approach you and start asking you questions, think back to these reasons why it’s probably in your best interests not to talk to them.
Protect your interests throughout your investigation
A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that they don’t have to worry about building a criminal defense until they’re charged with a crime. But if you’re under investigation, then the police are trying to gather evidence against you now. That’s why you should think about how you can protect yourself from the get-go of your case, which you can do by learning more about your rights and the criminal defense strategies available to you.